“Being a well-known writer and longtime resident of Cambridge, Katherine A. Powers can be excused for expecting to find her latest book on the shelves of the local library. After all, the book about her father, the late writer J.F. Powers, has been widely reviewed, with words of praise appearing in The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and The Boston Globe. (Powers wrote a column for the Globe for 20 years.) But after a recent visit to the Cambridge Public Library revealed that the book, “Suitable Accommodations: An Autobiographical Story of Family Life: The Letters of J.F. Powers, 1942-1963,” is not, in fact, part of the library’s collection, Powers offered to donate a copy. The library’s answer? Thanks, but no thanks. Citing a policy intended to discourage the public from dumping their unwanted volumes on the library’s doorstep, three employees of the library declined Powers’s offer.” (via Boston.com)

2 Responses to “Cambridge Public Library declines offer of local author’s book, and then apologizes”

a) Customers services need to be made a greater priority at our Cambridge Public Library. That begins with greater diversity among the leadership of the library administration. b) A new Director would make diversity among the leadership happen. c) Staff development could include onsite continuing education with credit for library and information studies professionals. Make our library a learning library for the profession. d) Open access to public meetings and e) current minutes of our Cambridge Public Library Board needs to be made easier.